Unprecedented $62 Million Shapes Chicago-Area Congressional Primaries, some Decry ‘Highest Bidder’ Politics

Unprecedented $62 million shapes Chicago-area congressional primaries, some decry ‘highest bidder’ politics

The four most competitive Democratic congressional primaries in Illinois has witnessed a massive influx of cash from direct campaign contributions and outside political action committee spending.

What super PACs are? Here's why they're pouring money into the Illinois primary

With just days to go until Election Day, it feels like voters are being bombarded with political ads. From artificial intelligence to the division over support for Israel, super PACs spent more than $31 million dollars in four Illinois Congressional races, according to separate analyses from WBEZ and the Chicago Tribune. Voters have a right to know – and understand – who’s influencing their elections. So, what is a super PAC, and why are these g…

Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries

National special-interest groups, which now include deep-pocketed cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence interests, have spent tens of millions of dollars to influence four hotly contested Democratic congressional primaries in the Chicago area.Through Thursday, super PACs whose donors are hard to track had reported spending more than $31.4 million, including more than $6.1 million for attack ads that are swamping voters ahead of Tuesday’s pr…

Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries – Chicago Sun-Times

Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area. “There’s nothing wrong with interest groups getting involved in politics,” said Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois. “But when some groups can drown out everyone else because of their bottomless pockets… it distorts democracy.”